Electrode structure



NOV E, 19. ELMENDQRF 2,453,978

ELECTRODE STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 23, 1946 INVENTOR= DURYEA E. ELMENDORF, BY MW HIS ATTQRNEY Patented Nov. 16, 1948 N IT 2,453,978 nnno'rnons STRUCTURE Duryea E. Elniendorf, Cleveland, Ohio, assignmto General Electric Companyy a-corporation of New York Application August 23, 1946, Serial No. 692,505

(Cl.r-176'126) 1 Claim.

i This invention relates to gaseous electric discharge devices and more particularly to an electrode structure in which the cathode glow is utilized as a source of light or electronic control means.

An object of my inventlon'is to provide a new and improved electrode structure.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved inexpensive electrode struc' ture possessing mechanical strength and rigidity which may be produced by automatic machinery.

A further object of my invention is to provide an electrode structure in which the cathode glow is confined to predetermined areas.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an electrode structure which will operate on alternating or direct current,

Further features and advantages of my invention will appear from the following description and species thereof.

For a better understanding of my invention reference may be had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claim.

Fig. i is a plan View of the electrode structure. Fig. 2 is a variation of the electrode structure shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top view of Fig. 1,

Referring to Fig. l. electrode structure i therein comprises a customary stem press or squeeze 2 employed to furnish simultaneously a mechanical support for lead-in wires 3 and d and to allow these wires, as indicated, to pass from the exterior of a vessel structure (not shown) and to permit electrical connection to the electrode structure from a source of current. An exhaust tube 5 is provided for exhaustion and filling of a vessel employing this type of stem press with a suitable atmosphere. An insulating cylinder 8, for example a lime glass cylinder, provided with a pair of electrodes l and 53 comprising annular bands or films of suitable conductive material surround cylinder 8 and are spaced longitudinally to define a gap 9 therebetween and which form the electrodes of the structure. For example nickel may be used as one form of a suitable conductive material. Both electrodes 7 and B may be constructed of, or coated with materials I, whi h reduce the starting or operating potential required for an electrical discharge therebetween. Materials such as alkaline earth oxides, like barium or strontium oxides or mixtures thereof, are a few of the high electron emissive materials known in the art and which may be used for this purpose;

Cylinder 8 is supported from stem press 2 by the insulating material in order to increase the mechanical rigidity of the structure, and also to obviate undesired electrical discharge, or gas ionization which might occur between the lead-in wires 3 and B. One example in which this may be accomplished is by providing a vitreous cylinder t fused to the end of the stem press. Instead of the cylinder being constructed out of lime glass it is obvious that various other electrode co w. tions will be possible using this means of formation and support. For example, ceramic or other similar insulating material which is capable of degasification as well as capability-of withstanding temperature elevations produced during op eration of the tube may be used. Lead-in wire 3 extends through and outwardly of the distal end of cylinder 5 and is electrically connected to electrode l. Lead-in wire 3 extends along the outside of cylinder t and terminates in electrical contact with electrode '8. In this manner the lead-in wires are insulated from each other by means of the cylinder t.

Fig. 2 is a variation of the electrode structure shown in Fig. 1 incorporating the above described corresponding parts. This view indicates one method of providing more insulation between the lead-in wires near the stem press 2 by closing or flattening that end of the cylinder which is fused to the stem press.

Fig. 3 is a top view of Fig. 1 showing more in detail the electrode structure.

In accordance with my invention, I provide a new and improved electrode structure possessing rigidity which may be inexpensively manufactured on automatic machinery. Accordingly, I provide an electrode structure in which the electrode or cathode glow is confined to predetermined areas, and one which will have a long and useful life operating on either alternating or direct current.

It will be observed that I provide a unique electrode structure wherein large yet well defined emissive and illuminating surfaces are provided. The electrodes and electrode surfaces may be provided in several ways. One way in which the electrodes may be formed is by spraying a film material such as nickel or other suitable metal on the vitreous cylinder 8. A further arrangement within the purview of my invention is the provision of ribbons of metal, which may be closed and which snugly surround the vitreous cylinder 8. In both instances the electrode surfaces may 3 be coated with electron emissive material such as oxides oi the alkaline earth metals.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent oi the United States is:

An electric glow discharge lamp comprising an enclosing envelope, a stem having a, sealed. press portion, an insulating vitreous hollow cylinder msed at one end to said stem press portion to constitute a unitary extension of said stem and being lead-in wires.

, 4 rectly to the outer surface 01 said cylinder and in electrical contact with respective ones 0! said DURYEA E. ELMENDORF.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,985,058 Rath Dec. 18, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS 15 Number Country Date 150,957 Great Britain Dec. 9, 1921 371,551 Germany Mar. 16, 1923 404,012

Germany Oct. 11. 1924 

